Langley Blaze Baseball Organization
Violence & Harassment Policy
The Langley Blaze Baseball Organization is committed to a healthy, harassment-free environment for all our players, coaches and members of our organization. The Langley Blaze Baseball Organization has developed a policy intended to prevent harassment of any type, including sexual harassment, of its players, coaches and members to deal quickly and effectively with any incident that might occur.
Definition of sexual harassment
The Langley Blaze Baseball Organization prohibits discrimination based on the grounds of gender. Protection from sexual harassment is included under the ground of gender. Unwanted sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors, and other unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual; or
Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual affects that individual.
Sexual harassment can include such things as pinching, patting, rubbing or leering, "dirty" jokes, pictures or pornographic materials, comments, suggestions, innuendoes, requests or demands of a sexual nature. All harassment is offensive and in many cases it intimidates others. It will not be tolerated within our organization.
A) How to proceed if you are being harassed
If it is possible, tell the harasser that their behavior is unwelcome and ask them to stop.
Keep a record of incidents (date, times, locations, possible witnesses, what happened, your response).
You do not have to have a record of events in order to make a complaint, but a record can strengthen your case and help you remember details over time.
Make a complaint. If, after asking the harasser to stop their behavior, the harassment continues, report the problem to one of the following individuals:
a. Team Head Coach (if possible)
b. Organization General Manager
You can also report any incident of assault that has occurred to the police.
B) Internal harassment complaint process
Once an internal complaint is received by the Langley Blaze Baseball Organization, it will be kept strictly confidential. Appropriate action will be undertaken immediately to deal with the allegations. Action taken may include mediation.
The Team Head Coach or General Manager will interview you as well as the alleged harasser and any individuals who may be able to provide relevant information related to your allegations. All information collected will be kept in strict confidence.
If appropriate, the Langley Blaze Baseball Organization will attempt to resolve the complaint by mediation. If mediation is not successful, an investigation will be undertaken by an investigator designated by the Langley Blaze Baseball Organization
If the investigation reveals evidence to support the complaint of harassment, the harasser will be disciplined appropriately. Discipline may include suspension or dismissal, and the incident will be documented in the harasser's file. No documentation will be placed on the complainant's file when the complaint has been made in good faith, whether or not there was a finding of harassment.
If the investigation fails to find evidence to support the complaint, there will be no documentation concerning the complaint placed in the file of the alleged harasser.
Regardless of the outcome of a harassment complaint made in good faith, the player, coach or member lodging the complaint as well as anyone providing information will be protected from any form of retaliation by either players, coaches or members. This includes dismissal, unwanted transfer, or harassment for having made a complaint or having provided evidence regarding the complaint.
C) Responsibility of management
It is the responsibility of a Head Coach or General Manager to take immediate and appropriate action to report or deal with incidents of harassment of any type, whether brought to their attention or personally observed. Under no circumstances should a complaint be dismissed or downplayed, nor should the complainant be told to deal with it personally.
The Langley Blaze Baseball Organization seeks to provide a safe, healthy and rewarding environment for its players, coaches and members. Harassment will not be tolerated within our organization. If you feel that you are being harassed, contact us. We want to hear from you.
Please note: A complaint must be made to the team Head Coach or General Manager within one year after the alleged incident of discrimination. The one-year period starts the day after the date on which the incident occurred. For help calculating the one-year period, contact our General Manager
